Madras Agric. J., 99 (1-3): 14-17, March 2012

New High Yielding Short Duration Pearl Millet Hybrid: TNAU Cumbu Hybrid CO 9 P. Sumathi*, AR. Muthiah, P. Veerabadhiran, K. Thiyagarajan, T.S. Raveendran, B. Selvi, G. Karthikeyan and P. Santhi Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore - 641 003.

A high yielding and early maturing pearl millet hybrid, TNBH 0642 was developed from a cross between Cytoplasmic male sterile line ICMA93111 and a pollinator line PT 6029-30 at Department of millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3 during kharif 2005. It has been tested extensively in Tamil Nadu and in other states viz., Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, under MLT, ART, OFT and All India Co - ordinated programme for the past five years. The hybrid performed well both under rainfed and irrigated situations in Tamil Nadu. This hybrid is of medium in stature (160 -180 cm) and early in duration (matures in 75-80 days). It produces 4-6 productive tillers with candle shaped earhead. The size of the grain is bold and is greyish yellow in colour. The hybrid TNBH0642 is highly resistant to downy mildew under both normal and sick plot conditions. This new hybrid recorded a mean grain yield of 3728 kg / ha under irrigated conditions, which is about 30 and 24 percent increase over the checks X7 and NH 07 respectively. The mean grain yield under rainfed conditions is 2707 kg /ha which is 18 and 19 per cent increase over X7 and NH07 respectively. The iron content in the grain is high (8 mg / 100 g). It has acceptable cooking quality and has consumer preference due to its flavor, taste and keeping quality of the cooked preparations. Key words: TNBH 0642, Cumbu hybrid CO 9, short duration, downy mildew resistance.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br) is an important crop grown over 40 countries, predominantly (>55% of global millet production), in Africa and Asia, where the growing conditions are dry and infertile to grow most other grains. In the world, pearl millet ranks in its importance after wheat, rice, corn, barley and sorghum. As a cereal for human food, it is considered to be highly palatable and most nutritious. Apart from being used as food for human consumption and feed for livestock and poultry, pearl millet grain is also gaining importance as a cheap source of starch for fine quality brewing and in other diversified food uses. It is the most drought and heat tolerant cereal crop hence its cultivation is spreading intensively in the traditional areas and extensively in newer areas where water scarcity is prevalent. Among the cereal crops it has the highest water use efficiency under drought stress. The availability and knowledge on the development of CMS lines, their maintainers and restorers, made it possible to produce the seed of commercial single-cross F1 grain hybrids in India (Athwal, 1966). Such hybrids have substantial yield advantage over popular open pollinated varieties (OPVs). In pearl millet the Tift 23A CMS line was, *Corresponding author email: [email protected]

extensively utilized in India, and more number of hybrids was released for commercial cultivation (Dave, 1987). Production increased from 3.5 to 8.0 million tons during this period. Intensive cultivation of hybrids based on a single male sterile line resulted into cytoplasmic and genetic homogeneity leading to downy mildew epidemic. Hence, development of hybrids with downy mildew resistance is essential in pearl millet improvement programme. Materials and Methods Fresh crosses of 500 numbers were synthesized involving ten cytoplasmic male sterile lines (CMS lines) and fifty restorer lines during kharif 2005 at Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore-3. All the synthesized hybrids were evaluated along with the checks X7 and NH 07 (Nath hybrid seed). Among the hybrids synthesized, the hybrid TNBH 0642 performed better than all other hybrids tested. Hence, the hybrid, TNBH 0642 involving ICMA 93111 as female parent and PT 6029-30 as male parent was identified as promising high yielding hybrid and was promoted to test under advanced yield trials from 2006-2010. Based on its performance, the hybrid TNBH 0642 was promoted and evaluated in Multilocation trial (MLT) at different research stations during 2007-2008. Then it was

15 promoted to Adaptive Research Trials (ART) and On Farm Trials (OFT) and evaluated both under rainfed and irrigated condition during 2008-10. In addition, this hybrid was also tested under ICAR- All India Coordinated pearl millet trials in Zone A (Northern states of the country) and B (Southern states of the country) during 2008-09 and was promoted to next stage in Zone B during (2009-10). A total of 140 and 88 trials were conducted under irrigated and rainfed condition respectively. Simultaneously, this hybrid was also screened for diseases viz., downy mildew, rust and ergot under both field and sick plot condition. Besides, the grain quality traits, viz., carbohydrate, protein, fat, phosphorous and iron were also analyzed following the standard procedures. Results and Discussion

Under multilocation trials, the hybrid was tested over five locations in irrigated and three locations under rainfed situations with the check X7 and a private hybrid NH 07 (Table 2). The test hybrid recorded an average yield of 3596 and 3012 kg/ha under irrigated and rainfed conditions respectively. This was 43 and 30 percent under irrigated and 11 and 25 percent under rainfed condition higher than the checks X7 and NBH 07 respectively. Table 2. Performance of TNBH 0642 in Multilocation Trial 2007-08 Grain yield (Kg/ha) TNBH 0642

X7

NH 07

Irrigated Bhavanisagar

2257

1494

1528

Vaigaidam

4082

2549

3776

Coimbatore

4450

3490

3005

The hybrid TNBH 0642 was tested in station trials from 2005-09 at Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, TNAU, Coimbatore. It recorded an average yield of 4343 kg/ha over eight season under irrigated condition. It was 38 and 28 percent increased yield over the check hybrids X7 which recorded 3156 and NH 07 with 3381 kg/ha

Mean

3596

2511

2770

43

30

Kovilpattti

3216

2999

2991

Aruppukottai

2072

2338

1881

Coimbatore

3750

2777

2376

Mean

3012

2705

2416

Table 1. Performance of TNBH 0642 in Station trials for grain yield (kg/ha)

% increase over respective check

11

25

TNBH 0642

X7

NH 07

2006

4494

3186

3383

2007

3826

2785

2968

2008

4375

3250

3381

2009

4515

3175

3325

Mean

4303

3099

3264

2006

3975

3156

3426

2007

4387

3255

3525

2008

4486

3245

3625

Irrigated Kharif

Summer

2009

4679

3195

3410

Mean

4382

3213

3497

Mean (Irrigated)

4343

3156

3381

38

28

% increase over respective check Rainfed (Rabi) 2005

1745

1380

1460

2006

1915

1400

1425

2007

1888

1425

1510

2009

1950

1350

1430

Mean (Rainfed)

1875

1389

1456

35

29

% increase over respective check

respectively. Under rainfed condition, TNBH 0642 was evaluated in four seasons and it yielded 1875 kg/ha, while the check X 7 recorded 1389 kg/ha and NH 07 recorded 1456 kg/ha. It was 35 and 29 percent higher than X7 and NH 07 (Table1). In earlier studies high mean grain yield was reported by Santosh (2002), Izge et al. (2007) and Chotaliya et al. (2010).

% increase over respective check Rainfed

This hybrid was tested under 52 adaptive research trials during 2008-10 under irrigated condition and 66 locations during 2008-09 under rainfed condition.The results revealed that the superiority of the hybrid in grain yield. The hybrid THBH 0642 gave an increased grain yield of 16 and 15 per cent over the checks X7 and NH 07 under irrigated condition respectively (Table 3). It gave 2615 kg/ha of grain yield which is 10 and 5 per cent greater than X7 (2384 kg/ha) and NH07 (2501 kg/ ha) under rainfed condition respectively. Table 3. Performance of TNBH 0642 in Adaptive Research Trial for grain yield (Kg/ha) Location

No. of TNBH locations 0642

X7

NH 07

Irrigated Summer 3/ 2008-2009

24

2376

2124 2142

Summer 3/ 2009-2010

28

3123

2621 2637

Mean

52

2750

2373 2390

% increase over respective check 16

15

Rainfed Kharif 1/ 2008-2009

43

2563

2302 2397

Rabi 2/ 2008-2009

23

2675

2465 2552

Mean

66

2615

2384 2501

% increase over respective check

10

5

Similarly this hybrid also performed better under All India Co-ordinated trials during 2008-09 under Initial Hybrid Trial (IHT) and during 2009-10 under Advanced Hybrid Trial (AHT). It recorded an average yield of 3139 kg/ha over 15 locations during 200809 and gave 10,20 and 64 percent increased grain yield over the National checks ICMH 356, Shradha

16 and Pusa 23 respectively. During 2009-10, this hybrid was tested under 18 locations and gave a grain yield of 3006 kg/ha which is 6, 35 and 2 percent higher than the checks, Shradha, Pusa 23 and ICMH 356 respectively. Besides, this hybrid was also tested under 44 and 15 locations on farm trials (OFT) at farmer’s holding under irrigated and rainfed conditions respectively. It gave 4223 kg/ha and 3325 kg/ha under irrigated and rainfed situations respectively. Table 4. Average performance of TNBH 0642 in different trials for grain yield kg/ha Details

TNBH 0642

X7

NH 07

Station trial (8)

4343

3156

3381

MLT (3)

3596

2511

2770

ART (52)

2750

2373

2390

OFT (44)

4223

3453

3455

Mean

3728

2873

2999

Irrigated

% over X7

30

% over NH 07

24

involving in the development of high yielding hybrids with downy mildew resistance. Angarawari et al.,( 2008) reported that transfer of resistant to recipient parents by donor parents was highly possible. This new hybrid, showed nil incidence for downy mildew and ergot disease under field condition, while the rust percent was very low of 3 percent. The parents of this hybrid also showed resistance for downy mildew. While, the check hybids, X7 and NH 07 recorded 8.5 and 6.0 percent of rust and 1 and 2 percent of ergot incidence respectively (Table 5). Under sick plot conditions, the hybrid TNBH 0642 recorded 2, 2.5, and 1 percent of downy mildew, rust, and ergot incidence respectively (Table 6). Where as X7 recorded nil incidence to downy mildew and 11 percent of rust and 2 percent of ergot incidence. The private hybrid NH 07 recorded 3.2, 7.0, 3 percent of downy mildew rust and ergot diseases respectively. Hence, the hybrid THBH 06 42 was resistant to all the three diseases. Table 6. Grain and cooking qualities and organoleptic evaluation of the hybrid TNBH 0642

Rainfed

Quality characters

Station trial (4)

1875

1389

1456

Grain quality

MLT (3)

3012

2705

2416

Carbohydrate (%)

ART (66)

2615

2384

2501

Fat (%)

OFT (15)

3325

2673

2758

Protein (%)

Mean

2707

2288

2283

Phosphorus(mg/100 g)

18

Iron (mg/100 g)

19

Cooking quality

% over X7 % over NH 07

The overall mean yield of the hybrid under 140 locations under irrigated and 88 locations under rainfed conditions showed that this hybrid was 30 percent superior over the check X7 and 24 percent superior over NH 07 under irrigated condition (Table 4) while, under rainfed situations, it showed 18 and 19 percent higher grain yield over X7 and NH 07 respectively.

TNBH 0642

X7

NH 07

62.0

68.0

68.0

6.28

6.54

6.55

9.43

11.04

9.8

498

528

512

8.0

6.8

6.3

Initial weight (g)

100

100

100

Initial volume (ml)

120

120

120

Cooked weight (g)

182

180

170

Cooked volume (ml)

180

185

170

Water absorption (ml)

140

150

155

30

35

20

Time taken (min) Organoleptic Score Colour

8

9

9

Disease reaction: Shelke and Chavan (2010) reported that identification and selection of resistant parents is important for crossing programme

Flavour

9

8

8

Texture

7

8

8

Taste

8

9

8

Table 5. Disease reaction of pearl millet hybrid TNBH 0642 under field condition

Overall acceptability

8

8

8

Downy mildew (%) Under field condition NBH 0642 0 ICMA 9311A 0 PT 6029-30 0 X7 0 NH 07 0 Under sick plot condition TNBH 0642 0 ICMA 9311A 0 PT 6029-30 0.5 X7 0 NH 07 3.2

Rust (%)

Ergot (%)

3.0 8.0 9.0 8.5 6.0

0 0 0 1.0 2.0

2.5 1.0 1.0 11.0 7.0

1.0 2.0 3.0

Grain quality: This hybrid was on par with the check hybrid X7 in fat, and Carbohydrate contents. It recorded high iron content of 8 mg/100g which is higher than the check hybrids (Tale 7). This hybrid has acceptable cooking quality and has consumer preference due to its flavor, taste and keeping quality of the cooked preparations. Based on the above all desirable features, the pearl millet hybrid THBH 0642 was released as TNAU Cumbu hybrid Co 9 by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during 2011 for pearl millet growing regions of Tamil Nadu.

17 References Angarawari, I.I., Kadams, A.M. and Bello, D. 2008. Gene effects controlling heritability of downy mildew resistance in Nigerian elite Pearl Millet Line . World J. Agric.Sci., 4: 545-549. Athwal, D.S. 1966. Current plant breeding research with special reference to Pennisetum. Indian J. Gene. Pl. Br. 26A: 73-85. Chotaliya, J.M., Dangaria, C.J. and Dhedhi, K.K. 2010. Combining ability studies in a diallel cross of ten selected restorers of pearl millet. Intl. J.Agric.Sci., 6: 216-219. Dave, H.R.1987. Pearl Millet hybrids. In: Proceedings of International Pearl Millet Workshop. (J.R.Witcomb and Beckerman, eds). ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. P . 121-126.

Izge, A.U., Kadams, A.M. and Sajo, A.A. 2007. Heterosis and inheritance of quantitative characters in a diallel cross of pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum L.) Agron. J., 6 : 275-285. Santosh, M. 2002. Genetic analysis, linkage map construction and mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring resistance to downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet.) in pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum L.) Msc.(Ag) Thesis, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Shelke, G.V. and Chavan, A.M. 2010.Improvement of agronomically desirable genotypes for downy mildew disease resistance in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) by recombination breeding. J. Biotech., 2: 16-20.

Received: September 19, 2011; Accepted: December 3, 2011